Introduction
If you’ve been to Turkey, you’ve probably got to enjoy some Turkish dishes in the restaurants. Or perhaps you’ve been invited as a guest into a Turkish home. Throughout those moments, did you notice that whenever you come into a restaurant, cafe, or hotel, you’ll be offered a drizzle of liquid onto your hand? And every passenger on a long-distance bus will also be given something to wipe their hands and faces.
That is Kolonya, a famous product from Turkey and a traditional Turkish sanitizer. Turkish Kolonya is commonly used as a cologne, perfume, or hand sanitizer. Now, there are so many brands available. You can see famous Turkish Cologne (Kolonya) brands on this web site.
A brief history of Turkish Kolonya
The Turkish fragrance started back in the 9th century. People of the Arabian Peninsula used extracted rose water for aromatherapy, beauty, and treatment. Persian, Egypt, and the Ottoman Empire used it for body-cleansing and welcoming guests.
Later in the 19th century, eau de cologne came from Cologne, Germany to the Ottoman Empire. That was during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamit II (1876 – 1909). Not long after, eau de cologne is used to mix with rose water and other scents. This particular mix created a new product, Kolonya. The name was derived from cologne itself. Traditionally, Kolonya is mixed with rose, orange, and lemon.
To make it accessible and affordable for more people, Kolonya was produced on an industrial scale in the modern era. So, now you can found it almost in every Turkish home, restaurant, and hotel.
Production of Kolonya
Kolonya is composed of three ingredients: ethyl alcohol (between 60 and 80 percent), water, and natural fragrance. These three ingredients are mixed into a new alcohol-based fragrance called Kolonya. The substances for the alcohol used in Kolonya are produced through fermentation. These substances include barley, potatoes, or grapes. Usually, it takes seven to ten days for the mixture to be ready to pack into the plastic or glass bottle.
Types of Kolonya
The citrus fragrance is the most popular type of Kolonya. But it has many other different scents, such as rose, lavender, green tea, jasmine, hazelnut, and many more. Each brand and Turkish city also have their special varieties.
You can find Turkish Kolonya in every supermarket, grocery stores, and pharmacies. There are wide selections of Kolonya, from common to exclusive brands. It also comes in various types of packaging, from regular jugs to spray bottles that are chic and elegant. Some of the exclusive brands offer their elegant bottles as collections. Most of the high-end brands are produced by reputable family businesses that have been around for decades. These brands are named after the founders and it became a status of symbol and pride of the family.
Some brands offer various products in addition to their Kolonya varieties. They include wet tissue, soap, and toothpaste. As mentioned before, you can see the famous Turkish Cologne (Kolonya) brands on this web site.
Symbolism
It’s believed that Kolonya is a part of Turkish old tradition. And it symbolizes hospitality and good health. Kolonya is often said as Turkey’s national fragrance. It’s common for a family to welcome their guests by gently pouring Kolonya into the guests’ hands as they enter the house.
Kolonya in daily life
Not only use as eau de cologne, but Turkish Kolonya also has a wide range of use. It’s used both as a cultural and practical daily life. When you’re visiting Turkey, you’ll find that Kolonya is mostly used as a freshener and perfume. People often use it as an antiseptic and cleansing agent, because it mostly contains more than 50% of alcohol. They also use it as a hand sanitizer and household disinfectant to get rid of bacteria.
If you come to restaurants, café, or hotel, you’ll be offered Kolonya. It’s considered for cleanliness and refreshment. You can also find it in side-street barbershops. They use Kolonya as a clean-shave final touch.
As part of a ritual, Kolonya is also offered during family gatherings and funerals. People believe that Kolonya is good for health. Some of them will use a few drops to treat fainting, headaches, and dizziness.
Conclusion
Been produced for centuries, people have been using Turkish Kolonya in various situations., including on a bus ride, after a trip, in the restaurants, café, welcoming guests at home, or a visit to the hospital. It’s part of many people’s daily routines. And it’s easy to find in the supermarket or pharmacy. Offered in wide selections of types, you can choose from inexpensive to the exclusive brands. Kolonya is also great for a gift. You can see famous Turkish Cologne (Kolonya) brands on this web site.
Not only serves as a perfume, but Kolonya also serves as an antibacterial. You can use it to clean a countertop or as a hand sanitizer. Some people also believe it can heal digestion problems, headaches, or dizziness.
If you want to use it as a perfume, just simply pour Kolonya into your hands. Then you can apply it to your clothes. And you can do it several times a day. A splash of Kolonya will give you a fresh and soothing feeling. You’ll be ready for you’re a full day ahead.
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